NZ PORK SUPPORTS COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELLING

Cross-party support means that the Consumers Right to Know (Country of Origin Food) Bill will head to the select committee stage, a move praised by NZ Pork. The statutory board, which works on behalf of local pig farmers, said that this move is a true reflection of Kiwi consumers’ attitudes. Research currently being conducted by NZ Pork shows that New Zealanders expect the pork they buy to be born and raised here. Around 60 per cent of pork sold in New Zealand is imported from 20 countries around the world.

“Based on our research, New Zealanders would be very surprised to learn how high the levels of imported food products are in some popular categories,” said NZ Pork chairman Ian Carter. “The expectation of Kiwi shoppers is that, if a product isn’t from here, they should be told where it is from so they can make an informed choice.”